other performers from barbra streisand to bob dylan to rush are scheduled. ♪ rather dramatic entrance. >> it sure says we're here. >> reporter: it seats 18,000 for basketball. more for concerts, the floor's herringbone pattern features the black and white logo designed by jay-z himself. state of the art digital scoreboard and exclusive and windowless luxury suites called the vault that goes for $550,000 a year. each comes with eight premium seats inside the arena. ground was broken on the $1 billion building in march 2010. original part of a much larger development called atlantic yards. beyond the arena, plans for 6,000 apartments, plus office and retail space. a commitment required before ratner got the okay to build. >> i must say, there were at least a half dozen times along the way that i thought maybe this isn't going to happen. >> reporter: the project controversial from the beginning. >> we are like two peas in a pod. >> reporter: that's because the land acquired through emminent domain. the state seized 22 acres and evicted residents and businesses. >> this building is a monu